Essaouira Travel Guide: Beaches, Ancient Walls, and the Best Seafood

Meta Description: Escape the heat and chaos of the big cities with this essential Essaouira travel guide. Discover the historic Skala, the bustling fishing port, and the best places to eat fresh seafood.

Suggested URL slug: essaouira-travel-guide

H1 Heading: Essaouira Travel Guide: Beaches, Ancient Walls, and the Best Seafood

Introduction

Essaouira (pronounced es-a-weer-a), formerly Mogador, is Morocco’s chilled-out coastal gem. Unlike the inland imperial cities, this port town is famous for its powerful sea breeze, relaxed pace, vibrant blue and white architecture, and an atmosphere that has long attracted artists, musicians, and travelers seeking a slower, wind-swept escape. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Essaouira offers history, culture, and incredible seafood, all packed within a compact, easily navigable medina. This guide provides everything you need to know to experience the best of this Atlantic city.

Essaouira’s Top Experiences: History and Views

Essaouira’s unique charm lies in its stunning fortifications and the blending of European and African architecture.

1. Walk the Skala du Port and the Skala de la Ville

These two iconic 18th-century stone ramparts offer the city's most dramatic views and are essential viewing points.

• Skala de la Ville (City Rampart): This lengthy wall features ancient cannons facing the ocean. It offers fantastic views of the Atlantic, the Île de Mogador (Mogador Island), and the wave-battered fishing port. It is particularly beautiful at sunset.
  • Tip: This is where Orson Welles famously filmed Othello.
• Skala du Port (Port Rampart): Located near the harbor, this rampart gives you a superb vantage point over the active fishing port, where hundreds of small blue fishing boats bob in the harbor.

2. Explore the Compact Medina

Essaouira's medina is much more relaxed than Marrakech or Fes. While vendors still sell goods, the atmosphere is noticeably calmer, making it a perfect place for stress-free browsing.

• Key Shopping: Essaouira is famous for its skilled woodworkers who specialize in crafting goods from thuya wood, a fragrant, rich-grained timber native to the region. The scent of thuya wood is pervasive in the workshop alleys.
• Art Scene: The city has long been an artist colony. Look for small galleries featuring local painters, many of whom specialize in vibrant, abstract scenes of the city and the sea.

3. Visit the Bustling Fishing Port

The port is a sensory experience defined by the squawking of seagulls, the shouts of fishermen, and the overwhelming scent of salt and fish.

• Morning Activity: Arrive early (around 9 AM–11 AM) to see the daily catch being brought in and auctioned off. It's a truly authentic working harbor experience.
• The Blue Boats: The hundreds of tiny, brightly painted blue fishing boats create an iconic photography opportunity.

A Seafood Lover's Paradise: What to Eat

Essaouira is unequivocally the best place in Morocco for fresh, cheap, and simple seafood.

The Port Grill Stalls (The Must-Do)

Directly adjacent to the port, a row of humble stalls offers the freshest possible seafood experience.

• The Process: You choose your fish (everything from sardines and sole to shrimp and calamari) right off the ice, agree on a price per kilo, and they grill it for you on the spot over charcoal.
• Price and Haggling: Expect to pay around 100–180 MAD per person for a huge platter, including bread, salad, and soft drinks. Haggling is expected, but be polite. Confirm the total price before they start cooking.
• Must-Try: Grilled sardines (a Moroccan staple) and the massive prawns (crevettes).

Local Essaouira Specialties

• Tagine du Poisson (Fish Tagine): A lighter, brighter tagine cooked with local fish, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and plenty of herbs like cilantro and parsley, often finished with a splash of olive oil and preserved lemon.
• Ghazalet (Gazelle Horns): A delicious crescent-shaped pastry filled with almond paste. Look for bakeries in the medina for the freshest batch.

The Beach and Outdoor Activities

Essaouira's beach is long, wide, and perpetually windy, making it less of a swimming destination and more of a haven for wind-based sports.

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

The constant winds, particularly in the summer, have earned Essaouira the nickname "Wind City of Africa."

• Sporting Hub: The southern end of the beach is lined with watersports schools offering rentals and lessons for all levels.
• Best Time: Winds are strongest from April to October.

Beach Activities

• Camel Rides & Horseback Riding: You can hire camels or horses for a scenic ride down the long stretch of beach. Always negotiate the price and duration beforehand. (Approx. 150–250 MAD per hour).
• Relaxation: While the city beach can be windy and crowded, walking further south offers quieter spots.

Essaouira Travel Logistics and Tips

Getting There

Essaouira is easily reachable from Marrakech, making it a popular day trip or 2-night stop.

• Bus: The most reliable and cost-effective way is by bus (Supratours or CTM). The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. (Cost: 80–120 MAD).
• Grand Taxi: Faster but more expensive, especially if you don't find four passengers to share the cost.

Accommodation

• Inside the Medina: Stay in a traditional Riad for charm and ambiance. The medina is small, so getting lost is rare, and everything is within a 10-minute walk.
• Outside the Medina: Modern hotels and resorts are located near the southern beach or the new city for those preferring beach access and pool facilities.

Practical Tips

| Aspect | Tip | | :--- | :--- | | The Wind | Bring layers, even in summer. The wind can make the temperature feel significantly cooler, especially in the evenings. | | Sun Protection | Even on cloudy days, the wind can mask the strength of the sun. Wear sunscreen! | | Pace | Essaouira operates at a much slower pace than Marrakech. Embrace the chill, and don't rush your interactions. | | Photography | The blue boats and ramparts are famously photogenic. The light in the morning and late afternoon is particularly stunning. |

Day Trips from Essaouira

• Sidi Kaouki: A small village about 25 km south, known for its pristine, less-crowded beach, perfect for horseback riding and a relaxed day by the ocean.
• Argan Oil Cooperatives: Visit a women-run cooperative outside the city walls to see how the famous Moroccan Argan oil is produced (for cosmetic and culinary uses) and buy products directly.

Continue Your Morocco Journey

Planning your overall route? Check out our safety tips for tourists in Morocco to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey across all the regions!

More Helpful Guides

• Moroccan Street Food Dishes - Discover the best local bites
• Moroccan Markets and Souks Tips - Master the art of haggling
• Moroccan Cultural Etiquette - Navigate customs with confidence